Power is also seen in Henry’s attitude to war. Henry’s attitude to war is one of great confidence, ‘We dought not a fair and lucky war’. The phrase, ‘dought not’ shows a definite air of confidence and belief in himself and his country. Henry doesn’t see the French as a threat to him and he sees himself and his country as being too good to be beaten. Henry’s idea of war is that it is glorious and an honour to fight for your king and your country, ‘Cheerly to sea, the signs of war advance’. The word ‘cheery’ suggests that Henry is presented as to believe that war is good. It also suggests that Shakespeare is trying to make it look as though Henry has no fear of the French, as he’s not worried about them. This sense of carefreeness could be highlighted on stage by Henry being made to look happy, unbothered and at ease. These characteristics would show Henry’s state of emotions about going to war with France.
Shakespeare also presents Henry as being very passionate. This is seen in his anger towards the traitors, ‘Thou cruel, ungrateful, savage and inhuman creature. The words, ‘savage’ and ‘cruel’ show Henry’s anger and how he is feeling immensely angered by the traitors’ betrayal. Once again through Henry’s passionate behaviour Shakespeare creates an image of Henry as an ordinary man with emotions which are common to everyone else. By using emotions that are felt by everyone such as anger, he makes Henry seem like a normal person not some kind of God who is perfect.
Henry is also presented as being a fair, kind and honourable king. His fairness and kindness are seen by the way he treats characters in the script unaccording to their status. These qualities are seen by the way he deals with someone who has committed an offence, ‘And on his more advice we pardon him’. The word, ‘pardon’ suggests that the king has forgiven the criminal. It also suggests that he is a kind person as he is allowing the criminal to go free.
Shakespeare presents Henry as being a fair person by the way he gives the traitors a chance to own up to what they have done, ‘We carry not a heart with us from hence, That grows not in fair consent with ours, Nor leave behind one that doth not wish, Success and conquest to attend on us’. The words, ‘heart’, ‘success’ and ‘conquest’ are all words that suggest a patriotic feeling about England. They also suggest an image of victory over the French. The word ‘heart’ suggests that everyone in England is with and supporting the king. By using these words Shakespeare allows the character of Henry to arouse a feeling of guilt in the traitors. By very subtly talking about how everyone within England is with him in the battle against France Henry is trying to get the traitors to confess and come clean about what they’ve done. This shows Shakespeare’s image of Henry being a fair king as he is giving the traitors a chance.
Shakespeare also shows Henry as being a fair king by literally letting the traitors decide their own fate. He uses the convicted person’s situation and asks for the traitors’ advice on what should be done, ‘Enlarge the man committed yesterday, That railed against our royal person’. By giving the traitors an example of someone who has committed a crime against himself, although on a more minor scale to the crime committed by the traitors, he allows the unaware traitors to decide weather they will receive mercy or not. Ideas like this also bring the aspect of Henry’s cunningness into the script
Shakespeare presents Henry as a person who is a bit devious and is not always what he seems, as in the situation with the traitors were he appeared to know nothing of their treachery but in fact knew everything, ‘The king hath note of all that they intend by interception, They dream not of’. The phrase, ‘by interception they dream not of’ suggests that the king is cunning as he has found out that they are traitors without them knowing.
I think that Shakespeare presents king Henry as a character who is powerful, respected, fair, cunning and basically human. These are the qualities that I believe Shakespeare thought a good king should possess. Power is an important quality for Henry as it gives him control and respect. I think the audience of this script would want the king to be powerful as it gives a feeling of security and well being. Shakespeare presents Henry as being fair, to show that a good king should treat everyone justly and in a humane way.
Henry is presented as cunning in order to show that a king should have intelligence and also be able to overcome and workout problems such as treachery. The most important quality that I think Shakespeare gives Henry’s character is that of being human. It brings Henry down from the clouds and the image of him being a God who cannot do anything wrong down to earth so that normal people can understand him and relate to him more freely. It shows that although he’s a king, he still shares all the pains and emotions of a normal person.